Ontario Transportation Minister Steven Del Duca recently joined Toronto-area mayors for an event that explored possible strategies for expanding service at Toronto Pearson International Airport.

Local leaders, including Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie, Toronto Mayor John Tory, Brampton Mayor Linda Jeffrey and Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic, met for the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) sponsored event. GTAA discussed a proposed regional transit centre that would support the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area (GTHA) as a second “major mobility hub,” according to an announcement from the airport.

GTAA’s research determined that the community surrounding Toronto Pearson would warrant an additional regional transit facility even if the airport were not located in its existing site because area commuter traffic requires better solutions. 

“There’s more alignment than ever right now amongst all levels of government,” Del Duca said of the proposal, according to the release. “We can't miss this opportunity to have important conversations about the economic linkages between the massive employment in the airport area and this region, and the entire province, to thrive.”

Authorities said that the airport grounds provide an optimal location for building a transit centre because Toronto Pearson is central to three local jurisdictions, four major highways and several transit lines, both current and envisioned.

GTAA’s president and CEO Howard Eng said in the release that the project isn’t just about passenger commuting; rather, it stands to create “a host of benefits” for GTHA residents.

Del Duca said the province is happy with the partnerships. 

“The province is pleased to have such strong partnerships with the GTAA and Ontario’s municipalities and we appreciate the opportunity we were given to be part of these discussions today,” Del Duca said. “I look forward to working more closely with all partners to study the Toronto Pearson transit centre.”